TANGIER
aBOUT THE CITY
One of the most evocative places in Morocco, the name Tangier immediately conjures up images of a city – bright white buildings under a hot sun blazing down from a clear blue sky, the gateway to this much-loved kingdom. Its proximity to Spain makes it an ideal place to enter Morocco, a great launch pad from which to explore more of the country. Tangier has inspired people for generations with its offering of fascinating history, beautiful scenery, and an eclectic mix of people. Whether you want to spend time on the lovely beaches, take a mint tea in one of the cafés where Burroughs and Matisse used to sit, or explore the old quarter, this is a place where you should spend time, never rush through.
selected experiences
Tangier occupies a glorious location on the Strait of Gibraltar, with the sparkling Mediterranean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The town’s main beach is a large sweep of sand that’s extremely popular with locals who use it for swimming, sunbathing and soccer. Along the promenade there are cafés, restaurants and beach clubs for you to enjoy.
If you want to avoid the crowds then head a few miles west and you’ll find the Plage de Sidi Kacem, an idyllic spot with French bistros, chaise longues and umbrellas in the sand. A more natural setting can be found close by at the Caves of Hercules. As well as the amazing cave complex there’s also a long beach that’s almost deserted.
Tangier may be the closest city in the country to Europe, but it is Moroccan through and through. When you visit, you’ll find a place that is rightfully proud of its heritage and culture and this is demonstrated by the moussem celebrating Sidi Bouarakia, a valiant warrior who is key to the history of Morocco’s northern region. In May or June time, nearby Moulay Bousselham celebrates Sidi Ahmed Ben Mansour. As with all Moroccan moussems, the people celebrate wildly, with plenty of traditional songs, dance and street entertainers. If you can, book your stay around one of these events you won’t regret it.
With the Atlantic to the west, Mediterranean to the east, Europe to the north and Africa to the south, Tangier is a melting pot of different cultures. It’s been a gateway city for so long that it has its own unique culture, quite different to anything you’ll find anywhere else in Morocco.
It’s a city whose light and atmosphere has always attracted artists and their influence can be seen throughout Tangier. There are numerous galleries and exhibition centres across the city, all displaying work by talented locals.
The café scene is an important part of Tangier culture and when you’re sitting there sipping mint tea or strong coffee, looking at the paintings decorating the walls, it’s not too much of a stretch to picture creative people like Matisse, Burroughs, or Tennessee Williams doing exactly the same thing.
Morocco’s most northerly city has plenty for you and your family to do. Just a few miles out of the city is a resort that has both an aqua park and a theme park to entertain the kids.
One of Tangier’s big draws is its position on the coast. As well as lovely beaches to play on, you can take boat trips out to sea, exploring the local cave networks and islands. You can even take scuba-diving lessons and explore underneath the surface of the Mediterranean waters.
Elsewhere, your children will love to see the street performers with their music and acrobatics, and camel riding is very popular with tourists in Tangier. It’s a great place to create a range of memories for the family album.
The food and drink on offer in Morocco’s northernmost city is a fascinating blend of Moroccan, European and Mediterranean cuisine. Walk along the beachfront and you’ll find some of Tangier’s best restaurants, quality establishments with amazing views across the Strait of Gibraltar. If you find yourself in the centre of Tangier then you can get food at the numerous restaurants, cafes and street vendors around the main plaza. Being a coastal city, fresh seafood is always on the menu and you’ll have a wide and delicious choice that ranges from flat fish to lobsters to calamari. And should you fancy a tipple with your meal (or without), Tangier is one of the few places in Morocco where alcohol can be readily found and consumed.
The ‘Gateway to Africa’ is home to possibly the oldest golf course on the continent. Royal Golf Tangier was built in 1914, refurbished in 1967 and 2001 and still holds its own against today’s modern courses. The eighteen holes are played through a variety of woodland in the foothills of the Rif Mountains. Narrow fairways add to the challenge of this parkland course, along with old-fashioned saucer-shaped bunkers and large elevated greens which give you great views out over Tangier and across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain.
Royal Golf Tangier
Designers: Cotton and Pennink (1914) & Peter Harradine (2001)
Holes: 18
Par: 70 (6,100m)
· Clubhouse with restaurant and bar
· Changing facilities
· Buggy, trolley and club hire
· Driving range and putting green
· Golf school
Getting There: 3km from city centre
WOW FACTOR: The oldest course in Morocco.
The hammams of Tangier, like the city itself, are a diverse mix of old and new buildings and customs. As each culture has inhabited the city, traditions have come and gone, however the hammams have remained a strong cultural activity, welcoming all those who wish to immerse themselves in the real Morocco.
Whilst the smart pristine streets of the business district house the more modernised hammams with exotic spa treatments, if you venture into the twisting streets of the walled city you’re sure to stumble upon the traditional hammams frequented by the locals. Whatever style you choose, it’s sure to be an experience like no other.
Tangier stands on the north coast of Morocco, where the waves of the Atlantic meets the tides of the Mediterranean. As you’d imagine, this is a rewarding place for watersports fans, both in and outside the city.
The best beach you will find around Tangier for good winds is Plage Achakar, a huge and gorgeous sweep of sand where strong winds sweep along the coastline and the water is of good quality. It’s a good place for intermediate kitesurfers to ride the north-easterlies and freestyle or waveride.
Slightly further south is Briech, an area that has good winds all year round. A world away from the bustle of Tangier, crowds are sparse and it even has a designated launch area for your kite.
The closest town to Europe in Africa, Tangier is a great place to start your motorcycle trip to Morocco. It’s enormous fun to ride through the narrow maze of steep streets around the kasbah, high up on the hill, or explore the lower city from the back of your motorbike. Heading out into the countryside you can take the coastal road east and ride with views back across to Europe on your left, or south along the Atlantic coast towards Asilah and beyond. If you’d prefer to go inland then the majestic Rif mountain range isn’t far, and riding through the roads and switchbacks of this rugged landscape is a very special experience.
Tangier’s annual jazz festival, Tanjazz, has been drawing top jazz artists from Morocco and all over the world since the turn of the millennium. For four days every September the city is the best place in all of Africa to enjoy world class jazz.
Tanjazz is a mix of large open-air shows and performances in more intimate surroundings in keeping with jazz’s traditional roots. Performers come from around the globe to appear at Tanjazz, and some of the genre’s top bands and individuals have appeared here since the event started. With its free spirit and artistic heritage, Tangier is the ideal place to host this event.
Situated in the very north of Morocco, Tangier has been a gateway to the kingdom since the fifth century BC, when the Carthaginians colonised the settlement. Since then the flow of different people from one continent to the other has left a lasting mark in the city and its inhabitants.
Today, Tangier is an interesting mix of north Africans, Spanish, Portuguese and French. When you walk the streets, the prevailing dialect you’ll hear is Moroccan Arabic, though there is a fair bit of Spanish mixed in with that. Around a quarter of the people speak Amazigh as their main language, while road signs are written in Arabic and French. As befits a city with such a blended population, visitors are always welcome and English is well understood in all hotels and tourist areas.
Tangier has long been a retreat for some of the world’s most creative people. William S Burroughs, Henri Matisse and Yves Saint-Laurent are just a few of the people who have all found peace, solace and inspiration in this charming city at the tip of Africa.
Retreat seekers can stay in one of the many idyllic riads that are in the city, sit on the rooftop terraces or spend time in the famous coffee shops as countless writers and poets have done in generations past. For a more relaxing time on your retreat you can head to one of Tangier’s many spas and melt under their blissful beauty treatments.
It’s a joy to shop amongst the dizzying hustle and bustle of Tangier’s many markets and souks. The city is a mix of new and old with the traditional walled fortress of the Sultan, the walled plaza, new business district and spotless beaches, and this blend of cultures provides everything an adventurous shopper could want.
Wander away from the main streets and you’ll find a traditional local shopping environment. The shopkeepers are charming and eager to help, offering teas and delightedly showing you their arrays of food, textiles, copper-wares and fine crafts. If you’re charmed by the intricately woven vibrancy of the Amazigh rugs, arrangements can even be made for their safe passage home! Tangier’s diversity means it’s a welcoming and friendly environment for all, offering an extraodinary diversity of wares.
Tangier has so much to do it would be quite easy to stay in the city for your entire holiday. However, do that and you’ll be missing out on the beauty of the Morocco that surrounds Tangier, so why not book yourself on a trek?
You have a variety of options allowing you to explore the area on foot, and on two or four wheels. Along the coast you can take a journey out to the historic Hercules Caves, while if you head south from the city you can soon find yourself in the Rif mountains. Once you reach Morocco’s northernmost range you’ll soon have great views across Tangier to the glistening blue Mediterranean beyond.
top hotels in tangier
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Perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Farah Tanger is a haven of peace and tranquility that combines both refinement and high standing. Located just 10 minutes from the city center, this 5-star luxury hotel in Tangier invites you to discover its sea-facing rooms and suites, its gourmet restaurants, its splendid swimming pools overlooking the ocean, and its fully equipped conference rooms. All this is accompanied by a personalized service to make your stay a memorable experience.
Location : Google Map
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Mogador Hotels & Resorts is an emblematic Moroccan hotels brand, and the symbol of a certain way of life, but also of values and traditions of excellence. Mogador Hotel & Resorts is the result of a clear and forward-thinking vision.
More than a hotel, Mogador Hotels & Resorts is a true state of mind of a sublimated tradition, based on an extremely demanding welcoming, that makes Mogador Hotels & Resorts one of the largest hotel chains in Morocco. This is reflected in the brand’s visual identity, which was designed and created by the famous designer Hicham Lahlou.
Both majestic and refined, this visual identity is articulated around a geometric figure made up of interlacing. Such a figure has been used since ancient times in mosaics, but also in pavements, bas-reliefs, goldsmith’s workshops, illuminations and architecture. As a reminder, interlacing is a universal ornament loaded with symbols.
Composed of sinuous curves and multiple overlapping lines, Mogador’s “M” becomes an ultimate decorative motif. It is incorporated into an elegant medallion that symbolizes infinity and evokes, in a true upward movement, all the beauty and balance associated with the brand.
Location : Google Map
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The 5-star hotel El Minzah is located in the heart of Tangier near the old medina. It offers 2 swimming pools, a fitness center and panoramic views over the bay.
The wellness center includes a sauna, hot tub and hammam, as well as body and massage treatments.
The air-conditioned rooms at the El Minzah hotel overlook the outdoor swimming pool, the sea or the patio. Individual bathrobes are provided in the guest rooms.
El Minzah Hotel features 2 gastronomic restaurants serving Moroccan and international cuisine. Guests can enjoy a drink in the bar.
El Minzah is just a short walk from the old Medina and the beach.
Location : Google Map
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Less than 0.6 mi from American Legation Museum, Riad Dar Saba – Saba’s House is located in Tangier and offers air-conditioned rooms. The property has a terrace, as well as a shared lounge. The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine.
All guest rooms in the riad are equipped with a coffee machine. Every room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, and selected rooms also boast a sea view. The rooms include a desk.
A continental, American or halal breakfast can be enjoyed at the property.
Speaking Arabic and German, staff are ready to help around the clock at the reception.
Dar el Makhzen is 181 m from Riad Dar Saba – Saba’s House, while Kasbah Museum is 656 feet’ away. The nearest airport is Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, 9.3 mi from the accommodations.
This is our guests’ favorite part of Tangier, according to independent reviews.
Location : Google Map
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The Kenzi Solazur overlooks the bay of Tangier and the Rock of Gibraltar. The hotel is located only 30m away from the beach, 500m away from the train station and only 12km away from the airport. Our 4-star hotel is the perfect place in Tangier to enjoy the many attractions of the white city. Ideally located at the heart of Tangier, Kenzi Solazur is the most sophisticated hotel in the region.
Our guests are delighted by its unique style, atmosphere and elegance. Superbly renovated, the hotel offers 348 elegant rooms with views of the sea and the park.
Location : Google Map
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Offering an outdoor pool, Royal Tulip City center is located in Tangier. Free WiFi access is available.
Each room here will provide you with a TV, a balcony and a mini-bar. There is also an electric kettle. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with a bath and a hairdryer. Extras include a seating area.
At Royal Tulip City center you will find a restaurant. Other facilities offered at the property include meeting facilities, luggage storage and a children’s playground. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including golfing. The property offers free parking.
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport is 8.1 mi away.
Location : Google Map
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SBN Suite Hôtel is situated on the beachfront in Tangier, 100 metres from Tangier Beach and 1.3 km from Malabata. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Free private parking is available and the hotel also features car hire for guests who want to explore the surrounding area.
All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar, a kettle, a shower, bathrobes and a wardrobe. The rooms have a safety deposit box, while selected rooms also boast a balcony and others also feature sea views. At the hotel, each room is fitted with a seating area.
Guests at SBN Suite Hôtel can enjoy a continental or a à la carte breakfast.
The accommodation offers a terrace.
Tanger City Mall is 1.6 km from SBN Suite Hôtel, while American Legation Museum is 2.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Tangier Ibn Battouta, 14 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Location : Google Map
Located in Tangier, just 1.4 km from Cape Malabata, Villa Amira Tanja provides beachfront accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, a garden and free WiFi. This villa offers free private parking and a 24-hour front desk.
This villa is equipped with 7 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 8 bathrooms equipped with a hot tub. Towels and bed linen are provided.A à la carte breakfast is available daily at the villa.
Villa Amira Tanja offers a terrace. A car rental service is available at the accommodation, while fishing can be enjoyed nearby. Tanger City Mall is 6 km from Villa Amira Tanja, while Kasbah Museum is 7 km away. The nearest airport is Tangier Ibn Battouta, 18 km from the villa, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Location : Google Map
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Offering a terrace and views of the city, Hilton Tanger City Center Hotel & Residences is located in Tangier in the Tanger-Tetouan Region. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar.
The rooms include a TV. Certain rooms include a seating area where you can relax. You will find a kettle in the room. Each room comes with a private bathroom.
There is a 24-hour front desk, a business center, concierge service and shops at the property.
Cap Malabata is 3.7 mi away from Hilton Tanger City Center Hotel & Residences. Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport is 8.1 mi from the property.
Location : Google Map
Kasba blanca is situated in Tangier, within 44 km of Cape Malabata and 44 km of Tanger City Mall. Providing a terrace, the property is located within 46 km of American Legation Museum. The property is 47 km from Kasbah Museum and 47 km from Dar el Makhzen.
At the guest house, rooms are fitted with a balcony with a city view. The private bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer. At Kasba blanca all rooms have a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.
Forbes Museum of Tangier is 48 km from the accommodation, while Ibn Batouta Stadium is 48 km away. Sania Ramel Airport is 4 km from the property.
Location : Google Map
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some frequently asked questions
Morocco is one of those types of destinations that can be visited year-round. You have to understand the geography of the country in order to choose the best time to visit Morocco. Taking into account that you have vast desert regions, probably those should not be visited during the peak summer months such as July and August.
Also, knowing that Morocco has most part of its territory with mountains above 10.000 feet and up to 14.000, you will surely encounter snow in highlands above 4200 feet. So, expect snow during the months of November until February. Overall we can say that Morocco is amazing and can be visited from January until December, but the ultimate best times to visit Morocco are during April, May, September, October, and November.
Tourists have been visiting Morocco for years and Moroccans have well-earned reputation for warmth and kindness toward visitors. Moroccan cities are generally very safe, especially in area where tourists frequent. Morocco is very well secured, Police in every location, there is so many checking points, this is what makes Morocco safe and 100% secured to make sure everybody are safe and comfortable in Morocco. Morocco generally has a very low crime rate. Travelers will be safe in Morocco if they take sensible precautions that would apply to any tourist destination around the world.
Travel insurance should be obtained before leaving your country of origin. It is not compulsory to purchase it. Local hospitals have limited diagnostic capability. Private clinics can be expensive, evacuation can cost a lot, luggage can disappear, so insurance is a good idea.
You can relax and wear whatever is familiar, comfortable, and best suited for you during your holidays. Morocco is very tolerant and welcoming to visitors, and you’re not expected to act or look like a Moroccan. Longer shorts and shirts are fine for men. Concerning women, it’s a good idea to bring a scarf to cover bare shoulders and arms in rural areas.
It’s not easy to get Moroccan Dirham outside the country as it is a closed currency. Those who succeeded have paid heavy commissions for banks.
There are ATMs everywhere in the country, exchange points, banks, and many businesses/shops/restaurants nowadays accept cards mostly with a 5% transaction fee. The best place to exchange money with high rate is the touristic areas.
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the currency of Morocco. Made up of 100 centimes per unit, the currency is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib (Morocco’s central bank). Historically, the Moroccan Dirham originates from the Byzantine Empire’s Drachm, and was used in Arabia and the Levant in pre-Islamic times. The name “Dirham” stems from the Roman word “denarius” .
Credit cards are widely used in Morocco in hotels, many shops, restaurants, and cafes. Most stores in markets accept credit cards. The most common types of credit cards used in Morocco are Visa, Master Card, and American Express.
Visitors to Morocco must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the scheduled return date to enter Morocco and you can obtain a visa from Morocco Consulate before departure. Also, entry visa is available upon arrival Morocco airports against USD 27 per passport for specific nationalities and need to check before.
Some nationalities don’t need a visa to visit Morocco for the purpose of tourism for up to 3 months such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland. For more info and details on entry visa to Morocco please check with the Moroccan consulate or embassy at your country
It is always recommended for travelers who wish to have their own supply of cigarettes and alcohol with them in Morocco to purchase them upon arrival.
There are duty free shops in the airports in Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Fez, Tangier and Rabat. Tourists are allowed to purchase up to 3 liters of alcohol and up to 200 cigarettes on arrival.
English and French are studied in school all over Morocco. This is why most Moroccans, who live in the cities, speak or understand at least some English words or phrases, and most of Moroccans are speaking French well. Fewer Moroccans can speak Italian, Spanish, and German; however, professionals in the tourism sector are accustomed to visitors who cannot speak Arabic. They speak enough English and many other languages to fulfill the needs of most travelers. Many travelers enjoy their stay in Morocco without learning a single word of Arabic; however, it is always good to learn a few Arabic words to expressing greetings or thanks. If you are planning to visit some places other than popular tourist destinations, it is advisable to learn some Arabic phrases. Generally, Moroccans are friendly and are happy to help anyone, especially foreigners and tourists, even if there is a language barrier.
Many people in the tourism sector depend on tips, as a major part of their income. Therefore, tipping is considered customary in Morocco. It is a customary attitude for expressing ones satisfaction of good services rendered to him by staff on duty with him. We advise if you are willing to offer it, this would be great and if not, you are not obliged to do it.
– The same as many hotels all around the globe, the check-in time in most hotels in Morocco is around midday, 1 or 2 PM. If you arrive in the hotel late at night or in the early morning, you may have to pay for an extra night to get to your room immediately without having to wait until the normal check-in time.
Accommodations for travellers in Morocco fall across a broad range—everything from world class luxury to simple hostel accommodations are available. The nicest hotels compare well with luxury hotels anywhere, coming from international hotel chains like Movenpick, Hilton, Four Seasons, and Sofitel. A step down from these is a variety of local hotels that ranges from luxurious to simple. Moroccan hotels have their own rating system that loosely classifies them on a 5-star scale; however, this scale is different from international standards used elsewhere.
Moroccans are well known all over the world for their tolerance and hospitality; however, it is always polite to ask permission before taking a photograph of people, especially women, and stores or products. Photography is non-permitted around army bases, airports, dams and bridges. In most places where photography is prohibited there will be signs to notify you.
Non-Muslims are generally welcome to visit and access Hassan 2 mosques in Casablanca except when they are being used for prayer, on Friday and during the five prayers of the day. Tourists are not allowed to enter any other mosque at any time. Only outside visit is possible.
Most of the monuments, historical sites, and museums in Morocco open from 9 AM until 6 PM. During Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, be aware that these hours will change significantly.
Most of the shops in Morocco open from around 9 AM and stay open until 10 PM; however, many shops, cafes, and restaurants especially in main cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Agadir, and Rabat stay open much later and some facilities and shops are open 24 hours a day in touristic areas. During Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar, opening hours may change significantly with shops closed during the middle of the day and staying open much later. Medina Souk in Fez closes Friday Morning.
There is a public transit system in Morocco that uses a rail to link the main towns and buses for inner-city trips. Small private and group tours will typically use large vans and sedans. Medium to large motor coaches is used for larger group holidays.